Acetylene-gas generator



Feb.3,193l D.H.DANLEY IACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR Filed Oct. 5. 1927 I N V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS on the torch; V

Patented Feb. 3, 1 931 T ES 1 ario -fFlcEl DAYTON HERSCH'EL nAnLnYj or LEBANON, INDIANA ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR Application filed. October 5, 1927; Serial No. 224,214.

This invention is an improvement in acetylene gas generators of the type shown in my Patent 1,569,722, dated January 12, 1926, and its principal object is to provide an acetylene gas generator which is. easily portable andwill produce an ample volumeof gas to supplyany torch; tip, and is as economical as an acetylene tank gas generator. i

A further object is to provide a portable acetylene generator in which the operator will have full control'ot' generation at all times by either opening or closing the valve A farther object is to provide a generator in which generation of gas will be selit controlled by the natural laws andfgravity oi water and gas under pressure, and does not depend on springs, diaphragms, clockwork or other mechanical parts that easily get out otorder. I

I will'describe the invention as embodied in the generator shown in the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrates one practical commercial embodiment of the invention; and summarize in the claiinsthe essential features of the generator and novelcombinations of parts therein for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevati-on partly in section of a complete generator showing the parts in position for loading the carbide magazine Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the maga-' zine loaded and lowered into the Water to start generation; 1

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing how accumulated pressure, willcause stoppage of generation oi gas;

Fig. l 1s a similar vlew showing how the generator will rapldly generate gas to supply anoverchargeor excess demand therefor. i

Fig. 5 is. a detail view of thelower end 0t the carbide magazine.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the magazine sUPP rt.

The generator shown in thedrawings comprises a closed. tank 1 which hasa top 1a from which rises a contracted and preferably 7 1centrally disposed cylindrical neck mem-; 3er2.r- J, The tank is provided with a drain opening at bottom-closed by a suitable screw, plug 1b. The tank has an overflow opening in its side; atthe normal waterlevelin the tank, which: opening maybejclesed by a. screw plug 1c.- WVhen the tank is to-beusedthe plug 10 should be removed andfwaterl supplied to the tank until it overflows at the opening, then this opening, should be closed byv the plugv 10, If desired ordinary" drain cocks, could beuse'd in place ofplugs 1b and 1 0.

Themember 2 extends through the top into the tank and the lower portion 2aof by use of a cover 2?) secured to the neck by a yoke 20 and clamping screw Qql'in the well known manner.

The lower portion of the neck extends I considerably below the normal water level in the tank and its lower end is sealed iby' theo Water in'the tank. v n r y The space within theneck and above the water forms a gas generating chamber A. The space withinthe tank above, the water level and exterior to the portion of the neck within the tank forms a' compression chamber B, and the gas pressure in this chamber l re 'ulates or controls the'generation of gas in the chamber A as hereinafter explained. f The up er end of chamber B controllably connected {with the upper portion of chamber A preferably by means of a. pipe 3 which opensinto' chamber B through the top 1a and comn'iunicates with the chamber A near the top of the neck as shown in the drawings. The passage'ot gas through this pipe may be controlled andcut oii by a m'anus ally operable valx e 3a.' This valve is oper ,ated as hereinafter explained in starting the disposed parallel metal rods 4a, the lower ends of which are inturned and converge on radial lines, as shown in Fig. 5. These rods will retain carbide in the magazine while permitting free access of water thereto. The rods 4a are preferably brazed to the cylinder 47 but may otherwise be secured thereto. The lower ends of such of the rods as extend to the axial line of the magazine may be also brazed or otherwise fastened together.

The magazine is provided with a suitable cover 41 Preferably this cover has a depending flange entering the top of the cylinderand provided with key slots 4p adapted to engage rivets 40 brazed in the upper end of the cylinder in position to be engaged by the key slots in the cover flange, as shown in Fig. 2. These key slots and. rivets lock the cover 42' to the magazine. The cover has a handle 45 by which it can be turned or lifted, and when the cover is locked to the magazine, as in Fig. 2, the entire magazine can be lifted by and with the cover by means of the handle 48. The cylinder 46 is of less'diameter than the neck and can move vertically therein. The carbide magazine is adapted to contain carbide in any suitable form. Preferably I employ lump or cake carbide; and as carbide manufacturers claim that the larger the carbide cakes the greater the gas yield per pound of carbide, the magazine is designed to use carbide, compressed in large cakes. Lump carbide, size inches by 2 inches will also give excellent results.

The carbide magazine may be supported and adjusted vertically in the neck by any suitable means. Preferably the lower end of the magazine is supported upon a metal cage or basket 4 (see Fig. 6) attached to the upturned end 4d of a vertical rod le which extends into the tank through an opening in the top 1a. The rod 40 extends through the chamber B exterior to part 2a of the neck and at a point below the part 2a the extremity 4d of the rod is bent upwardly and enters the part 2a of the neck, and the lower or basket portion 4a of the magazine rests thereon.

Suitable means should be provided to prevent the escape of gas from chamber B around the rod 40. As shown a tube 4/' surrounds the vertical portion of the rod 40 within the chamber B, said tube being gas tightly con nected to the top 1a at its upper end and extending below the water level in the tank so as to be always water sealed.

The rod 40 is provided at its upper end with. a head or handle 49 which has a portion projecting inwardly toward the neck and adapted to be engaged with any one of a series of notches in a holder plate l attached to the adjacent side of the neck 2. By shifting the rod to engage the head 49 with upper or lower notches in the plate 47' the carbide magazine can be correspondingly raised or lowered within the neck and tank. The

notches in the plate 4;] are so located and spaced with reference to the normal water level in the tank, that the. operator will know by the point of engagement of the handle 4g with the plate 4 the exact position of the carbide magazine in relation to the normal water level in the tank.

Upon the tank at one side of the neck is mounted a gas washer 5 which may be of any suitable type. Preferably this washer is adapted to contain water, the level of which is regulated by an opening closed by a plug 5a; and the washer may be drained through an opening closed by a plug 55.

The washer communicates with the gas chamber A preferably by means of a pipe which is connected to the neck Qnear the upper end thereof and near the top of the washer, and said pipe extends down into and below the level of the water in the washer; so that gas entering the vasher will pass through the water therein. This gas inlet pipe 50 may be provided with a check valve 5 1: on its lower end to prevent back flow of gas or water from the purifier into the chamber A.

The upper end of the Washer is provided with a draw-off cock 56 which may be connected in the usual manner to the burner or tip to which the gas is to be supplied.

The generating chamber A is preferably provided with a pressure gauge 6 preferably connected to the upper end of the neck The compression chamber B is preferably provided with a pop or safety valve 7, preferably attached to the top la. of the tank. The tank may be provided with an agitator 37 in its bottom, which may be constructed and operated as described in my aforesaid Patent No. 1,569,722, and it is therefore unnecessary to fully illustrate or describe the same herein. 7

0 point i0 n lVhen it desired to charge the generator with carbide, the carbide magazine is raised above the normal water level in the tank to the position shown in Fig. 1. The magazine may then be removed from the neck, and its cover 41 removed, and the magazine filled with carbide. The cover 4 is then replaced and the magazine put back in the neck. To hold the magazine in raised position the handle 4; is engaged with the uppermost notch in the plate 4j. After the magazine is charged and replaced the cover 27) gastightly closed. The carbide magazine should be held above the water level, as in Fig. 1 whenever the generator is to be charged with carbide, or while lowering the pressure.

lVhenever the generator is charged, a mixture of acetylene and air is produced at first. For best results this should be drawn off before the torch is lighted.

When it is desired to start gel'ieration of gas iii submerged and Water chambor A will be raised sc the magazine "will be lowered to the position shown in Fig. 2 so thatthefcage is partly acts the icairbid c in the lower prn'timrof thymagzuzinei The magazine lowered into the w ater as in Fig. 2, by engaging-hainile lg with the second notch in plate 4y; This starts generation of gas and pressure is thus created in chambe- A. he 13116531 s control valve 3a being closed gener at about two (pounds 'orless pressure in chamber A. 'lhis pressure 'jis sufiicient force the Water in chamber-A, the carbide in the mazagine as indicated in Fig. 5, thus stopping generationof After this initial generat n of gas the re quired pressure operating any make of torch or an size of tip may be obtained-When d :ired as follows: To increase the pressure in chamber A. the pressure control valve 366 should be first opened so as to connect the gencrating, chamber A with the compression chamber B. This equali the pressures therein and -lloivs the Water in the two chan'ibers to again come to the same level (as in Fig. 1) and the Water or a chamber again reaches the carbide in the magazine, and generation'of gas proceeds. When the pressure in chamber A reaches about one pound below thatqdesirec, the valve 3a should be closed and the generation of gas Will continue at such pressure until the outflow of gas from chamber A is checked, whereupon accumulated pressure will leave the Water in said chamber, as in Fig. 3 andgeneration will cease until the pressure is relieved.

To lower the pressure, the carbide magazinc is raised above the Water level, as shown in F 1; and the pressure control valve 8a opened and gas drawn ofl until the pressure in chamber A is about one pound below the desired pressure; then valve 3a should be closed and the carbide magazine again lowered to contact the carbide with the Water (Fig.

When the generator is lcnofa-st enough to operate or: heavy Welding tip be water level in the generating to act on more RI'lQlClQ as indicated in Fig l1. When the torch is being operated full 1 st; if the torch is shut off, the Water le l sting chamber A is ah t .y lowered bv the pressure building up in said chamber and forcing the water below the carbide (Fig. 3) then the carbide dries off, The Water Will hold its position under such pressure just below the loiver end of the carbide "magazine as in 3.

Perfect operating conditions are obtained With a pressure range of from one to ten pounds. The pressure should not beralsed above ten pounds in the ordinr apparatus.

The carbide magazine may be removed at onof willsto-p to down below in g inthe genthe generfrom the neclr'at any time; making it perfectly safe to transportithe generator and the carbide the magazine can be used later by replacing the carbide magazine in place.

The generator will produce gas at an almost" absolutely uniform'gas pressure regardless of therate at Which the gas "is being drawn 0ff, 'due to the fact that the slightest variation in; gas pressure in the generatmg chamber instantly varies the water level, and

as the carbide'magazine is stationary; variation in water level determines the amount of carbide that 1s immersed, and the Water iiuderthe" gas pressures automatically accu rately adjusts itself to supply gas as needed.

This also gives the operator full control of generation at all times by either opening or closing the valve on the torch or tip and this also eliminates the danger of over generation by over supply of carbide which is common to the ordinary generators.

The absolute uniformity of gas pressure shownby this generator, regardless of rate" at Wnch the gas is being drawn off, 1s due'to the fact that the slightest variation in gas pressure in the generating tube instantly varies the Water level. Since the carbide is stationary, this variation in Water leveldetermines the amount of carbide that is immersed and accurately adjusts itself to furnishgas as it is "needed. This also gives the operator full control of generation at the torch.

The relation of thefcarbide to'the Water level can: be adjusted vand determined Wll3l1-' generation of gas taking'place. 'The'maga- Zine While charged with carbide can be removed from the machine when it isdesired to transport the generator from one place to another, thus "eliminating undesired tion. of gas during transport.

Thesnnple positive generation at the low generapressure of from '1 to 10 pounds, and the extremely small gas'storage space in the generator renders "I, claim:

1. In an acetylene gas generator of the character specified; comprising a tank adapt-ed it, unusually safe.

to containwvater, and a neck extending Within the tank; a carbide magazine within said neck; comprlsing a cylinder, a series of rods connected to theloWer end of the cylinder and forming a basket to'retain the carbide and permitfaccess of Water thereto and an adjustable rod entering the tank and extending throughthe Water below the lower end of the neck extension; said rod having an up turned end extending into the lower portion of the neck and adapted to adjustably support the carbide magazine therein.

In an acetylene gas generator of the character specified; comprising a tank adapted to contain water, a neckportion extending above the top of the tank and having an extension below the top and within the tank; a removable carbide magazine within said neck comprising a cylinder and a series of rods connected to the lower end of the cylinder and forming a basket to retain the carbide and permit access of water thereto, and an adjustable rod entering the tank and extending through the water below the lower end of the neck extension, and having its lower portion upturned within said neck and provided with a basket to support the magazine.

3. An acetylene gas generator of the character specified; comprising a tank adapted to contain water, a neck extending upwardly beyond the top of the tank and having an extension depending within the tank below the Water level, a closure for said neck, a movable carbide magazine in said neck comprising a cylinder and a series of rods connected to the lower end of the cylinder depending therefrom and forming a basket to retain the carbide in the lower end of the cylinder and permit access of water, and means for vertically adjusting said magazine in the neck.

4:. An acetylene gas generator of the character specified; comprising a tank adapted to contain water, a neck extending upwardly beyond the top of the tank and having an extension depending within the tank below the water level, a closure for said neck, a removable carbide magazine in said neck; comprising a cylinder a series of rods connected to the lower end of the cylinder depending therefrom and forming a basket to retain the rarbidc in the lower end of the cylinder and permit access of water thereto, a cover for the cylinder having a slot and pin engagement; and means for vertically adjusting said magazine in the neck.

5. An acetylene gas generator of the char acter specified; comprising a tank adapted to contain water, a neck extending upwardly beyond the top of the tank and having an extension depending within the tank below the alter level, a closure for said neck, a movable carbide magazine in said neck comprising a cylinder and a series of rods connected to the lower end of the cylinder depending therefrom and forming a basket to retain the carbide in the lower end of the cylinder and permit access of water and an adjustable rod entering the tank and extending through the Water below the lower end of the neck extension; said rod having an upturned end extending into the lower portion of the neck and adapted to support the carbide magazine therein.

6. In an acetylene gas generator of the character specified; a tank adapted to contain water; a neck portion extending above the top of the tank and having an extension DAYTON I-IERSCHEL DANLEY. 

